Tell us a little about yourself and your practice.
Prior to coming to the Bar, I was a university lecturer for 5 years. I did two PhDs and a number of other university degrees, including one in International Journalism. I also lived in several different countries and had internships in the UN and international courts. With this mixed background, I originally came to the criminal Bar before moving to Lamb Chambers. Here, I started doing mixed civil work and gradually established my international commercial practice.
My practice now is commercial and predominantly international in nature. I often deal with complex cross-border matters, involving international contracts, investments, and financial matters. I also sit as an international arbitrator and am currently developing my mediator practice. I am particularly keen to develop my pharmaceutical and life sciences practice.
What is your first memory of wanting to be a barrister?
I did not think about becoming a barrister until I did an internship in the UN International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). I was working in Judges’ Chambers, when, on the last day of my internship, I was having coffee with Judge Morrison (who was at that time one of the international judges working on the famous Karadzic case and I was in the legal team there). I asked him for advice and whether I should qualify as a lawyer in the UK (as I was going to move the UK to do my PhD). He replied that I should be a barrister. He also helped to arrange marshalling (sitting with or shadowing a judge) for me with one of the English Court judges. I then started to pursue my career at the Bar and did a lot of marshalling before getting a pupillage. Now I very much enjoy sitting as an arbitrator.
Is there a certain case that stands out to you in your career? If yes, why?
As a pupil barrister, I had to appear as sole Counsel in the Court of Appeal. The case I have in mind started as a standard case for a pupil at the Criminal Bar: a first appearance in a Magistrates’ Court with no papers being provided prior to my arrival at court. Whilst still waiting for the prosecution papers to be sent to me, I managed to find my client and speak to him.
As sometimes happens, I had to take instructions from the client without having any papers. He was a regular in criminal courts (probably more regular than I was at that time). He told me his story and wanted to plead guilty to a minor offence. When I finally received papers just before the hearing, we both realised that that offence meant he would be sent to the Crown Court for the activation of a suspended sentence. He was sentenced there, and we appealed to the Court of Appeal. When the permission to appeal was granted, I could not believe that I had to go to the Court of Appeal by myself just three months into the practicing second six of my pupillage.
I still remember when I was applying for pupillages, I used to imagine myself running through the Royal Courts of Justice main hall in my wig and gown. It became a reality when I had to do that for my first Court of Appeal case. I still remember standing up to address the Court dreading being told off for doing something wrong. I then looked at my client on the live link screen appearing from prison, and he smiled at me. I thought it is not his fault that he has got a pupil barrister who was there for the first time. I then reminded myself that I was doing it for him, not for me and all I could do was the best I could. I am pleased to say that our appeal was allowed and his sentence was reduced.
I saw a hope in his eyes that somebody still cared and would go that far to help him. I like to think that there may be a chance that that thought might have got him out of his continuous cycle of reoffending or at least made some difference to his life. That unique experience clearly made a difference to me.
What’s your favourite thing about being a barrister?
Making a difference to somebody’s life and the intellectual challenge involved in doing so is probably what I like the most at the Bar. That difference may be more like a money-equivalent in commercial practice, but behind it, there are people and their lives and success of the companies and their employees. I do like very complex cases – either factually or legally – and to be able to think thoroughly about the case. I like to find out the problems or issues behind it, either through comprehensive analysis of papers or through cross-examination of witnesses or both. I also like transforming that understanding from the client’s perspective into arguments or from an arbitrator’s perspective through an award. I enjoy resolving disputes, either as an advocate or as a mediator. There is a huge satisfaction when both parties come out of their dispute being happy with the process and/or outcome. It is good to feel like my role has made a difference to them.
What do you do to relax?
Walking is probably my favourite activity, be it mountain hikes or just walking around near my home. I also enjoy swimming, ice skating and skiing. Travelling and exploring different places, cultures and nature around the world is something that has always appealed to me and I try to travel whenever I can. Learning new things (although for majority of people it won’t appear as truly “relaxing”) is also something that I enjoy doing in my spare time. In my past, I studied nine foreign languages (although I do not claim to speak all of them now!), I have studied for six university degrees and a few other university certificates/diplomas and other courses. I just like collecting things and … knowledge! I also like exploring new subjects that I have not previously studied at university. My particular interest now is in neuroscience and life sciences/pharmaceuticals in general. I am also developing my knowledge of business and marketing.
If you weren’t a barrister, what would you be?
My initial thought was that I would want to be an arbitrator… but I already am, so this probably would not count. I think being a CEO of a company would probably suit my personality. I like leading people (or matters) and would enjoy developing a strategic vision and bringing people together through the decision making process. Persuading, inspiring, improving things, innovating, cooperating and collaborating, establishing business connections, focusing on a bigger picture, leading teams and making a difference is probably what I would enjoy in the role of a CEO.
